Dr. Michael Opsahl
Fertility Medicine
Kirkland, WA
45 years experience male
Locations
Poma Fertility
Kirkland, WA
My office hours
Friday: 7:30am - 4:00pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna Life Insurance Company
Cigna
First Choice Healthcare
Humana Insurance Company
Premera Blue Cross
Regence
UnitedHealthcare
United HealthCare Insurance Company
About
Bio
Poma Fertility’s motto is “Creating Life is Beautiful” because it expresses the combination of working together with people, science, technology and the miracle of life.
I started Poma Fertility with Klaus Wiemer PhD, with the purpose of providing high quality care at an affordable price. We address the financial difficulties of accessing high tech infertility care without insurance for more people.
We believe we have a solution for most people including what we believe to be the lowest regional IVF cycle prices and the best priced Refund Warranty program (PomaCare).
Our practice also embraces family building for everyone including the LGBT community, single women, fertility preservation and family balancing gender selection.
Our staff offers a smaller boutique-like environment where you will see your doctor, where you have 24 hour access to your medical information through a web-based HIPPA-compliant portal. We provide our services on-time with virtually no waiting.
Personal Information
I am an infertility specialist and board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. I have practice medicine for 35 years, which has provided me with invaluable experience that I can use to assist people trying to build or expand their families.
I retired after 20 years serving our Navy families in 1994. I spent 10 years with a very progressive infertility team at Genetics & IVF Institute. I helped found (with Dr Wiemer and 2 others) Northwest Center for Reproductive Sciences in Kirkland WA. Dr Wiemer and I started our new clinic in Kirkland WA called Poma Fertility.
Dr Wiemer and I previously achieved outstanding IVF outcomes at NCRS and we continue that tradition at Poma with a renewed emphasis on high quality outcomes, customer service, and exceptionally affordable prices to allow a wider number of people to build their family.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Fertility Medicine
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Doctor Q&A
497 Answers
259 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 23-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Ovulation Process: Ovulation (release of the egg) is a complex interaction of the brain (hypothalamus), pituitary and ovary. The ovary actually controls the cycle. Fsh s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Too old for a baby?: You are not too old at 38 to have a baby. You will not be as successful as a younger woman. We can test for your fertility potential. You have lost ab... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Varococele Fertility: A varicocele may affect sperm but not always. You need a sperm analysis to check for quality. The numbers alone may suggest poor function but unless t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
CCT FSH 16.5: I agree with dr pauli. Let me add that FSH results vary by lab and the success rate at each clinic is different. I use the cct to make sure of highest... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Semen Volume: The semen volume is not the important issue for fertility, the sperm number and quality are the important factors. Of these two factors, i consider qu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Probably does not: Male sperm quality as defined as fertilization and embryo quality at ivf seem unchanged in several studies. Other studies suggest that fertility may d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Micro-TESE: Microsurgical testicular extraction has a very special place in infertility. Men who have non-obstructive azoospermia (no sperm in ejaculate) may have... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Variable: Egg freezing used mostly to bank eggs for the future. If ready for ivf baby now then do std ivf not egg freeze. Success variable, some clinics have sa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Painful Menses: Painful menses (dysmenorrhea) is usually caused by prostaglandin hormones in an ovulatory cycle. However, other causes might include a fibroid, polyp,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Poor Idea: Puncture wounds are dangerous because the bacteria from the skin and the object that caused the puncture are pushed into the deeper layers. If the wou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Need Counseling?: A new marriage and a new baby are a potent combination of stressful issues in any marriage. I am not a psychologist but i would suggest getting help a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Missed Period Rx: Missing periods is usually due to not ovulating. A common cause is pco/pcos which is a syndrome of unbalanced repro hormones, including infrequent ovu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Next IVF time: Let me add to dr pauli's comments that we usually have a rest month after ivf. For one reason, the ovaries usually still have residual follicles and a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Can I have Babies?: The best way is to try and get pregnant; of course, when you want a baby. I am not a fan of invasive or expensive tests just to see if pregnancy is po... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Lactation &fertility: When you breast feed then your prolactin hormone can prevent ovulation and menses. You will probably start ovulating and menstruating with 1-2 months ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Implanon action: Implanon is a Progesterone contraceptive that should be effective for up to 3 years. It usually causes "abnormal bleeding". You tell us that the Impla... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Irregular periods: Irregular periods also usually means irregular ovulation. Irregular ovulation is a problem because you have fewer chances per year to get pregnant, yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Unexplained RPL: Did you have a complete evaluation - that is always a question for me of new patients. If complete, did you have genetic analysis of the miscarriage t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
LH Before Ovulation: LH is the hormone signal to start the process of ovulation. LH is the hormone measured in the urine with ovulation prediction kits. The LH surge is br... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Safe to have IVF: We know that infertile women who do not do IVF have increased risks with both pregnancy and birth defects. Are the risks higher with IVF? Probably not... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Several Ways: We have several ways to document ovulation. You can follow temperature charts (bbt); check cervical mucus; ovulation kits (opk); blood tests (lh and p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
None!: Progesterone (p4) levels are very low when we use vaginal p4 supplements after ivf. Some use intramuscular p4 but the injections are painful and most ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Sorry, only IVF: If you had your tubes removed and not cut then you can only do ivf. I think you should make sure you know exactly what the surgery was because sometim... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Yes, but: If you are certain that you know when you ovulated then the chance of pregnancy from sex 5d earlier is low but not 0%. The day of ovulation is difficu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Diagnosis first: Many conditions cause prolonged or abnormal uterine bleeding. Your first goal is to see a specialist and get a diagnosis then you can get the treatmen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
You : You have 2 basic options for achieving another pregnancy: surgical sterilization reversal and in vitro fertilization (ivf). You need to seek care from... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Questionable: Vitex is a plant extract used for multiple reproductive disorders. It is not proven effective. My advice is to see a fertility specialist and make a d... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Normal symptoms: Your symptoms sound fairly normal or at least not worrisome. Ovulation can cause side pain and the hormones at ovulation can cause bloating and gas. Y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
The : The diagnosis of pregnancy is a very common question for women and also on this forum. Let me give you a couple of facts about your contraceptive and ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Let : Let me ad a few comments about your history that may be important. Menopause means that you stopped menses for a year. Your history is confusing becau... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
You : You have 2 basic options for achieving another pregnancy: surgical sterilization reversal and in vitro fertilization (ivf). You need to seek care from... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Ovarian : Ovarian cysts form from each of the cell types in the ovary. Ovarian cysts can rarely be caused by cancer and most ovarian cancer is not diagnosed unt... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
I : I would call you OB first. Your symptoms do not sound like you need the er. Nevertheless, i would never tell you over the internet not to sep emergenc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Infertility : Infertility is a frustrating problem but fortunately we are much more successful making a correct diagnosis and then applying a successful treatment.
... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
No, usually: Obstetricians count from the first day of the last menses even though conception occurred on day 14 (in ideal cycle). We do this because most women kn... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Hard to say: True allergies to sex (semen or other sexual fluid) is extremely rare. I would suggest checking whether your partner is using any lotion or medication... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Early ovulation: You may be getting near ovulation but iris a bit early. Still the window of conception is as early as cycle day 6. Lh = 16 is a bit elevated and the c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Don't: Don't smoke, use recreational drugs or excess alcohol. Be healthy before conception.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Usually: Egg donors come in different varieties. Most are anonymous and they provide less information than open donation where you can meet the donor. Neverthe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Occasionally: Vitamins are essential substances for our bodies. If we have deficiency then many parts of the body can be affected. In general, a sick body can have ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
In most cases: I agree with the other doctors but i will take it a bit further. Almost all bone marrow transplant patients are sterile, that is no eggs or sperm. The... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Blocked tube pathway: Sterilization by surgery involves blocking the tube between the gonad (organ with the sperms or eggs) and the outside. The surgery is very effective b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
No - implantation: The morning after pill prevents implantation by changing the hormone levels in the blood and thus in the uterine lining. The uterine lining (endometri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Fertility Drugs &BTL: The fertility drugs should not cause a problem other than the same risk of side effects as anyone else. I am not sure why you would be taking fertilit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Several things: You can: not smoke, low alcohol, be healthy, lower stress, follow all directions carefully, go to good ivf center, ?Coq10, dhea (w direction), acupunc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Infertile for 3 yrs: Less than 1% of normal couples would not be pregnant by 2yrs, so there must be some problem if not pregnant yet. You need testing and likely treatment... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
PG after tube revers: The pg rate after tubal reversal varies based on female age, length of tubes, type of btl and other factors like sperm. In ideal situations, success i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
PCOS & RPL: Pcos does not usually cause recurrent pregnany loss, rpl. We do see somewhat worse egg quality at ivf with pcos but still get good success rates. We h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Fear of Sex: Your husband seems to have an unnatural fear which should be addressed with a professional. I suspect you will both be involved and it may take some t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:

Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Abn sperm, Diabetes: Diabetes like any serious medical problem can affect the sperm. There can be other reasons and the diabetes may not be the problem. I like to think ab... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
20
Recommendations
867
Thank you notes
Dr. Keith Blauer
Dec 2, 2012
I  whole heartedly endorse  Dr Michael Opsahl.  I have known Dr Opsahl since he was on the faculty of the REI Fellowshp for the Combined Federal Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology...Read More
Dec 2, 2012
I endorse this doctor. Dr Opsahl consistently provides excellent responses on AVVO.Com. His answers are chock full of helpful information and his recommendations are right on target.
Feb 17, 2013
Dr Opsahl is an excellent and experienced physician who I have personally known since 1994 when he was in the military. I recommend him without reservations
HealthTap member
Thank you. I am 32 and he 52. Being his age and having already 6 kids, he is more keen for IVF twins as his ideal as he would really like the babies to have a sibling and by having two at once means h...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank goodness! I was afraid to admit my error to my doctor. Was afraid I was risking cervical cancer or something by not letting a natural process take place. Now I understand that the bleeding while...Read More
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you. I was considering going the illegal and unhealthy route but you helped convince me not to. You very well may have saved me from death.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, SC
Graduated 1978MD
Residency
National Naval Medical Center
Awards
Washington State Magazine, Top Doc (2009-2011)
Host Award for best clinical paper. Opsahl MS, Robins ED, OâConnor DM, Fritz MA. Sonographic Characteristics of Endometrial and Follicular Development in Serial Clomiphene Citrate-Induced Cycles. Armed Forces District Meeting of ACOG, 11/1994
Award for best paper by a resident (1 of 3). Gherman RB, Opsahl MS, Leiberman R, OâConnor DM.. The impact of surgical pretreatment with leuprolide acetate on cellularity and mitotic count in leiomyomata pathology specimens. Armed Forces District Meeting of ACOG, 11/1994
Affiliations
Poma Fertility
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Publications
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less